(CNN) - Hillary Clinton faced a grim statistic in Michigan tonight, despite her primary "win" there: results revealed that she may have reason to worry about her grasp on the African-American vote.

The Michigan primary vote was essentially meaningless: the national party stripped the state of its delegates because it held its contest too early in the election season, and Clinton was the only major Democratic contender whose name appeared on the ballot.

soundoff(373 Responses)

It amazes me that Americans would vote for someone with a fancy name than for someone with a proven track record especially when our economy is in a tale spin.

January 16, 2008 02:06 am at 2:06 am |

What really matters

Uncommitted doesn't mean she was running against nobody..it's obvious that "uncommitted" represents the other candidates that weren't listed on the ballot. Think about it. I would like to see Uncommitted listed on the final election day. Maybe we'll get a ticket like Obama/Uncommitted as our final running mates.
Since when can we pull a trick like that and actually get it counted? That's like voting for your imaginary friend...doesn't say much about those of you who fell for it.

January 16, 2008 02:14 am at 2:14 am |

Let's Turn The Page America

Just got back from a month in the UK...Everyone is talking about Obama in Europe. All they want to know is if its going to happen and how great it would be if it does. No one is talking about his race outside the USA, there talking about a positive change and new beginning for America. I got to say...If we as a nation miss this moment its unlikely to come back around any time soon.

The world is watching, lets see how much we actually care.

January 16, 2008 02:15 am at 2:15 am |

Charles Martin

Who said Obama was Black...I thought he was Black and his Mom was white. Why doesn't the media say he is white....or biracial. Think People. This country is still filled with racial undertones.

January 16, 2008 02:17 am at 2:17 am |

Charles Martin

Who said Obama was Black...I thought his dad was Black and his Mom was white. Why doesn't the media say he is white....or biracial. Think People. This country is still filled with racial undertones.

For 2 candidates whom have let the issue go, the MEDIA certainly isnt.

Whats even more troubling is this:

To keep the race issue alive HURTS Obama. Why cant u people see this?

If 70% of african americans voted for Obama, and we also have to consider all the folks whom voted for Edwards, then WHERE does this 55% vote for clinton come from ???

You must remember the 40% uncommited is Edwards and Obama combined.

Obviously the white vote is going over to Clinton. This is NOT what Obama wanted. CNN is not doing anything to keep it quiet either.

Hillary left her name on there, with the other candidates, so that the PEOPLE of Michigan know that she CARED about their vote. Whether it counts or not.

The national democratic party didnt TELL the candidates to take their names off the ballot .

Did Obama and Edwards think about the PEOPLE of michigan whom wanted to vote for them to show their SUPPORT ???? No.

They didnt seem to care too much about that. Hillary did.

January 16, 2008 02:19 am at 2:19 am |

Jose Card - Independent

After Bill and Hillary played hard on her gender card, they played race card on Obama and it backfired on her. Had she admitted her mistake and apologized to Obama, Michigan would have been kinder to her. But no, Bill and Hillary went on and on to waste everybody's time. What kind of 35 years of experience does she have to have such poor judgment? Perhaps it's time to cry again.

I don't think anybody plotted this whole thing against her. This just goes to show her political immaturity and incompetence.

Obama is more qualified than Hillary in every aspect.
Anybody that tries to bank on the race or gender card will suffer.
Hillary deserves the penalty for playing both cards and they should take full responsibility for their mistake or what they really are.

January 16, 2008 02:24 am at 2:24 am |

Vishal

Smart People for Hillary!

I'm sick and tired of asking someone why they're voting for Obama and getting an answer in the general direction of "his message of change". What about the issues?! Americans aren't voting for who's the smartest or who has the greatest chance of beating anyone in the GOP or who has the experience or who even has the best healthcare/economical/security plans for America... just for the one who can motivate the crowd...

All talk and no meat

January 16, 2008 02:27 am at 2:27 am |

AS

The delegates don't even matter apparently. It's an "empty" win. Basically, she was supposed to join the other candidates and pull out of Michigan for some stupid "Make Michigan Stand In The Corner For Being Naughty" thing that the national Democratic Party wanted, just cuz party official in Detroit Wanted To Be Almost First.

I'm not sure why Clinton didn't toe the party line as well, but basically she got a meaningless vote. Probably more people voted for her in the primary, than there will be in the general election, should we have the major misfortune of having her as the candidate.

I SWEAR to god if she's nominated, I will move to a remote island and worship a cocoanut carved into the likeness of Richard Nixon

January 16, 2008 02:27 am at 2:27 am |

Jonathan

This is a non-issue to me. The Michigan primary doesn't even affect convention delegates, let's not get too carried away with analysis or exit polls.

As an Obama supporter, after NH, I have learned that all politics is local. You cannot make generalizations about the blacks in this state, the labor workers in that state. In this election, every vote must not just be earned, but KEPT over the course of the campaign. We still have a long way to go.

January 16, 2008 02:32 am at 2:32 am |

James

Someone should ask Hillary where she stands on S 1955 and how she'll vote on HB 1959 when it reaches the Senate. Write your Reps. They're taking your rights. Who don't they want you to hear? Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich.

January 16, 2008 02:34 am at 2:34 am |

scope213

Michigan's message to Hillary is..."get off your husband's tailcoat and hold your own". All Hillary is going on is a handful of Democrats fantasizing that somehow if we get Hillary into the Whitehouse, Bill can secretly get "another" chance to run the show again. Scary stuff.

Obama is the best choice we all know this. Go past the skin color and choose the best candidate. In this case, Obama outshines her ten fold. I'm Republican so I can't do anything next month but come November...he has my vote! And thx to Bush now I'm going Independent, lol.

January 16, 2008 02:34 am at 2:34 am |

Another Steve

Let's leave the race issue behind for now. I myself think that Hillary only getting 55% agianst no other person on the ballot tells plenty. She was arrogant enough to stay on the ballot and split the democratic party decision as Obama and Edwards did as they were instructed by the party. This Democrat side of the Michigan election shows us that First, Hillary can't work with others when faced with personal agenda. Second, in the election I believe you actually had to write uncommitted to count as a vote for someone else and 45 % actually did this. Wow. I'm impressed. Obama is gonna kick some butt shortly.

January 16, 2008 02:36 am at 2:36 am |

Nathan

Obama and Edwards supporters voted uncommited and Hillary still won. But keep in mind these two facts:
1. I'm an Obama supporter and I would have been first in line if I could have voted for my candidate, but I wouldn't leave my Lazyboy to vote for Uncommited.
2. There was no campaigning in Michigan, so voters relied more heavily on name recognition... not Obama's strong suit.
Hill should not be proud of the win... she should be embarassed.

January 16, 2008 02:41 am at 2:41 am |

Another Steve

In fairness to Hillary, I suppose I should add that yes Hillary was on the original printed ballot and that was supposed to be the reason only her name was printed. I know, another matter that was not within her control once agian. 45 % wrote uncommited, I'm impressed.

January 16, 2008 02:52 am at 2:52 am |

Due Diligence

I hope everyone is taking the time to look at ALL the Candidates for President – and not just going with the ones the media favor and focus on. Because there is plenty of information available to the Public to show that the LAST thing we need to be looking at right now is Partisan Politics or Media Mania.

Use your brain – make sure you are checking out every single Candidate to find out where they stand on the issues and what their history shows they have stood for on the issues.

You can't trust the Political or the Media machines to give you fair and unbiased facts. They've got their own agendas and issues – which may not be the same as yours. Perform your own due diligence – and please make a truly informed decision and not one based on emotion or what you think the Party represents.

Race and/or sex should have nothing to do with evaluating a candidate – either for or against. And if we are ever going to be truly "color blind" and "gender neutral" – it has to be because we don't look either at or for those distinctions.

This election represents the first time in a long time that American's are truly interested enough to make a difference with their vote. History is being made no matter who we choose.

Right now – the FUTURE should be our focus. And it's OUR future – not just mine or yours. We Citizens are in this together.

It's time our Leaders remember that the Constitution is the Law of this Land – not the Parties, not the Politicians, but "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

January 16, 2008 02:53 am at 2:53 am |

proud florida democrat

You Got Obamad

Its ironic to me that everybody is for Obama because they want "change".
Heres a guy who is running that he is a uniter and can bring the country together around "change"
He says hes above the politics of Washington.

But despite money rich campaign he has said that he will not pay attention to us during the primary season.
THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!

In 2000 we were disenfranchised and our vote was "stolen" by first term Bush. That lead to this whole mess!!!! Now Obama wants to ignore our vote again.

Well as a "champion" of voters rights (one of his few stances in politics) how can he say Drop Dead Florida?

We have taken many steps here in Florida to become a more politically active state. We are the 4th largest, our electorate is extremly diverse. We have a huge population of black and latino voters. We are a border state. We have areas with old retired folks (alot of veterans) as well as very young and progressive cities. Our capital is in the bible belt. Our biggest city has a major latin population, we have no significent gang or race relation problems. Both Orlando and Miami are international cities and we have very rural farm areas.

Obama is Ignoring all of us. As a man of principle and voters rights shouldnt he stand with us and not bow down to the pressure from NH and Iowa

January 16, 2008 03:00 am at 3:00 am |

Lars

It sounds like the Democratic party is divided and unless somehow it is unified we will fail in 2008. I don't trust Obama and will not vote for him in 2008, likewise many are saying they won't vote for Hillary. Strangely my friends seem to think like me, probably like yours don't like Hillary.

Regardless tonight showed support for Hillary as obviously Obama and Edwards supporter new that voting Uncommited was voting against Hillary and for Obama & Edwards but they still failed to be her majority in the state.

Where we go from here? Idk. I have deep reservations about the Church that Obama attends, as well as what exactly his policies will be. I am concerned about his stance on Iraq, Iran, & Israel.

You know why I like Hillary? Because she isn't blind hope. I'm tired of it. I don't think Obama should win because he is more charasmatic. This isn't a beauty pagent revolving around charisma and hope. Even the republicans are touting change while they support Bush's policies. As Hillary says, Let us get back to reality and fix things. Can Obama really change America in any way for the better, or in 2012 will I still have a yucky taste in my mouth? I believe Hillary can get us back to where we were under Bill Clinton and that is a step in the right direction. Before we can go forward, we need to erase the mistakes and steps backwards the Bush has taken. This isn't about going to the moon, this is about taking the steps needed which include bargaining, compromise, and dialogue.

Obama can compare himself to JFK or MLK when he HAS accomplished something great, otherwise it insults their great work. Obama gives me no hope, just fear. Hillary has the power and experience to get things done.

January 16, 2008 03:01 am at 3:01 am |

Jay

I have never seen such Hillary bias. She won against "uncommitted" in double digits.
So even if Obama and Edwards got 30% and 10% respectively, it is still a resounding win for Hillary.
She will be our next president. All you haters will have to accept that.

January 16, 2008 03:04 am at 3:04 am |

cnyetx

Grant,

I don't normally comment or get involved in "blogs " per-sue but after reading your comment.... that for me will be a thing of the past. You couldn't have summed it up better. I loved it...........Don't let your friends drink and post.... Excellent.

Benchwarmer

January 16, 2008 03:06 am at 3:06 am |

FV, Tampa, FL

OMG is CNN out of it's mind?
After the NH poll debacle you are still trying to use one sided polls to justify Obama as the leader in the race?
that's BS!

and so what, if EVERY single black person in America voted for Obama and EVERY single woman (non-black) voted for Clinton, Clinton would win in a LANDSLIDE!
so get some freakin' perspective here!

January 16, 2008 03:07 am at 3:07 am |

Bea, Hoboken, NJ

This post is very deceptive. There was a big push for people to vote undecided as a sign of protest against the DNC.There were politicians asking voters to chose undecided and there were even ads on TV asking the same. Therefore, the exit polls of this "beauty" contest are worthless.

January 16, 2008 03:10 am at 3:10 am |

Steven

Racism, the fairy tale says, is a white phenomenon. But for many whites with feelers in the black community the truth is racism is more pervasive and certainly more militant and overt among blacks. Play your racial, gender and politically correct players well, Hillary. But beware the consequences. The game is three-dimensional chess and you may continue to be surprised at the source of the rebellions you incite.

January 16, 2008 03:10 am at 3:10 am |

Mike in Kentucky

Rather than reporting the election results, CNN, in an Obama biased spin, has reported "analysis" as news.

This is getting a familiar feel and it's not fair and balanced, to borrow a slogan.

What ever happened to: CNN: The Most Respected Name in NEWS?

January 16, 2008 03:16 am at 3:16 am |

GA Boy

Race has no place in politics. It's simply another divider and unfortunately sells media ads. It's an industry that continues to flourish. Won't we stop it America? This country is too great to continue to be bogged down by this issue. Whenever the media fans racism, we should stand up and tell them to stop it, that we won't support it, and if they continue it, we will boycott any advertisers who advertise on the shows that fan it. So, in our e-mails and phone calls to the media, let's demand that they stop this racism fanning or else. I'm betting that it will come to a screeching halt!